The latest rumor generated by Apple spies snooping around the world wide web for clues to potentially subversive tactics designed to bring about the destruction of Microsoft indicates that Apple may be targeting the growing bastion of Windows 7 pirates.

The driving force behind the speculation are the ads that Apple is purchasing on Google. The situation is now being actively covered by numerous media outlets, including the folks at ComputerWorld:

Search for "download Windows 7" and you'll see an Apple ad urging PC users to switch to the Mac. But search for "buy Windows 7" and you'll see no such ad. Do a search on "download Windows 7" or "Windows 7 download" and you'll see the Apple ad on the right-hand side of the page, under the "Sponsored Links" section.

The ad in question simply states the following: "Upgrading to Windows 7? There's never been a better time to switch to a Mac. Find out why."

Not particularly exciting, right? But the suggestion offered by the mere existence of these ads lends considerable credence to those thinking that Apple is indeed targeting Windows 7 pirates.

But do a search for "buy Windows 7" or "get Windows 7" or "purchase Windows 7" or "Windows 7" and no ads from Apple for Macs appear.

What's being inferred by that statement is obvious. A Windows pirate would likely not use the words "buy" or "purchase" in their searches for Windows 7. "Download" is always the million-dollar word for hackers and pirates. And, at least on the surface, it would seem that this is the intended group for the new round of suspicious Apple ads on Google.

Why would Apple target Windows piraters? Frankly, I don't have a clue. And I'm not completely convinced they're targeting pirates, either. So if you have an answer to the mystery, or a theory about it, let me know below.